AS9100: Aerospace Quality Management Systems

AS9100 sets the standards for organizations involved in aerospace manufacturing and maintenance, ensuring they meet stringent requirements for quality, safety, and reliability to enhance customer satisfaction and regulatory compliance.

An AS9100 certification is based on ISO 9001 quality requirements. It encompasses sectors such as design, development, production, and maintenance, focusing on risk management, configuration control, traceability, and continuous improvement. Compliance with AS9100 demonstrates an organization’s commitment to delivering high-quality products and services in the aerospace industry.

AS9100 certification is not mandatory by law or government regulations. However, it is often required or strongly recommended by aerospace industry stakeholders, such as customers, regulatory bodies, and government agencies. Many aerospace companies choose to pursue AS9100 certification to demonstrate their commitment to quality and meet customer expectations.

An AS9100 certification can be particularly essential for companies involved in aerospace design, production, maintenance, and distribution, as it ensures compliance with industry standards and regulations, enhancing credibility and competitiveness in the aerospace market.

AS9100 implementation provides aerospace organizations with a comprehensive framework that encompasses quality, compliance, risk management, efficiency, customer satisfaction, and more. In this section, we will take a closer look at these benefits.

The specific certification process for AS9100 may vary depending on the certification body and your organization’s circumstances. Consulting with your chosen certification body or an experienced AS9100 consultant can provide additional guidance throughout the certification journey.

Generally, however, certification involves familiarizing yourself with the standard, assessing your quality management system, implementing necessary changes, and undergoing an external audit.  

Implementing AS9100 presents certain challenges for organizations. Addressing them dedicated leadership, effective communication, employee involvement, adequate training, and a systematic approach. Here, we’ll take a look at n this section, we’ll take a look at several of these challenges.

Here are a few tips for preparing for an AS9100 certification:

• Thoroughly understand the AS9100 requirements and their implications for your organization’s operations.
• Secure commitment and active involvement from top management to drive the implementation process.
• Identify gaps between your existing practices and AS9100 requirements to prioritize areas for improvement.
• Ensure employees receive appropriate training on AS9100 requirements and their roles in the quality management system.

AS9100 certification typically requires renewal or recertification every three years. The renewal process involves conducting surveillance audits to assess continued compliance with AS9100 requirements. Organizations must demonstrate effective implementation of the system, address any non-conformities, and provide evidence of ongoing improvement and adherence to quality standards.

For more information and guidance on AS9100 certification, you can refer to the following resources.

National Quality Assurance (NQA). As an accredited global certification body, NQA offers a dedicated guide to the AS9100 standard on its website, which you can use to prepare yourself and your organization for its implementation.

International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). The website of the IAQG also offers a dedicated page to AS9100, offering resources, support materials, and other information regarding certification. 

International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Because AS9100 is based on ISO 9001 requirements, you can visit the  ISO 9001 page on the official ISO website. There, you can view the ISO 9001 standard document, news updates, and additional resources.